On February 21, 2017, Fayetteville City Council adopted a new Solid Waste Reduction, Diversion and Recycling Master Plan. The plan aims to maximize solid waste reduction, diversion, and recycling, achieving a goal of 40% waste diversion by 2027, which is double the 2017 diversion rate.

To develop an environmentally and economically sustainable materials management system
that maximizes waste diversion and minimizes waste disposal, the Master Plan recommends the following steps be taken (STATUS OF EACH STEP IS IN BOLD):

1. Provide conceptual approval of the proposed action plan with implementation of key
elements dependent on acceptance of detailed implementation plans. COMPLETE

2. Obtain a Type CO permit for the City’s compost facility. COMPLETE

3. Develop a detailed plan and schedule for initiating a voluntary organics recovery
program, focusing initially on large food waste generators and schools. IN PROCESS

4. Release an RFP to secure a contract with a processor for the recovery and recycling of
construction and demolition material. NOT YET STARTED

5. Develop a communications plan to announce the City’s commitment to waste diversion
and to get buy-in to new initiatives. IN PROCESS

6. Develop a technical assistance program to inform businesses, institutions, and multifamily
complexes of the City’s waste diversion commitment and help them prepare for
new recycling initiatives. IN PROCESS

7. Adopt a Green City Initiative directing all city-owned or operated buildings to establish
comprehensive recycling, organics recovery, and environmentally preferable purchasing
programs. IN PROCESS

8. Modify City building codes to require new commercial and multi-family developments to
provide adequate space and access for recycling and organics recovery (for large
commercial food waste generators). NOT YET STARTED

History of the Planning Process

The planning process began in 2013, when the City Council of Fayetteville, Arkansas passed Resolution No. 260-13 directing City Staff to develop a Request for Proposals to hire a professional consultant to assist the City in developing a 10 year Solid Waste Reduction, Diversion and Recycling Master Plan with the goal of attaining a city wide solid waste diversion rate of 80% by January 1, 2025. A rigorous selection process identified Kessler Consulting Inc. (KCI) of Tampa Florida as the most qualified consultant to assist the City in this effort.

Kessler Consulting Contract and Scope of Work

A waste composition study was recently completed by Kessler Consulting, Inc. Below is the percentage breakdown of materials discarded in Fayetteville.